Fishing petition backed by MEP

SHEFFIELD-based Euro MP Linda McAvan has joined representatives from the World Wildlife Fund to present a 150,000-signature petition to the European Parliament calling for ‘healthy oceans and sustainable fishing practices’.

At present, two out of three fish stocks in the EU are overfished, and if nothing changes figures show this will rise to nine out of 10 by 2022.

Ms McAvan, Yorkshire and the Humber Labour MEP, said: “MEPs and national fisheries agencies must work with the fishing industry to overhaul the situation and adopt a sustainable approach before we allow seas to be fished until there is nothing left.”

Roberto Ferrigno, of the WWF European Policy Office, said: “People want to see a change in fisheries management in the EU.”